The sun on your face, the wind in your hair and ocean as far as the eye can see - it was the perfect summer day in Newfoundland. Zip up your survival suit and hop aboard - it's time to get up close and personal with nature, courtesy of O'Brien's Whale & Bird Tours.

I’m in a field bordered by rocks and ocean on Change Islands, off the northeast coast of Newfoundland, petting a couple of ponies called Angel and Lily. These two get along great now, but they got off to a rough start.

Best known for its late 70′s inception as Stanley’s Steamer, the Bella Vista has been in operation for over 55 years and has been the site of various functions and events. It has grown through many stages to become the well-know and loved Bella Vista and Stanley’ Pub we have today. I stopped by to take a look at their beautiful event space and hear a little of the history behind one of St. John's oldest venues.

Quidi Vidi is an award winning micro-brewery that sits nestled right at the mouth of the Gut. Established in 1996, they are known for producing world-class beers - their British IPA took home the gold at the 2012 World Beer Championships in Chicago. Offering daily tours and tastings to the public, I arrived just in time to belly up to the bar and take a peek behind the scenes of everyone's favourite local brewery.

It's easy to lose an entire morning exploring the bounty of beauty on display at the Quidi Vidi Village Plantation, and when you leave, you just might be ready for wee scoff. Lucky for you, Quidi Vidi is home to St. John's newest dining experiences in one of our oldest buildings - Mallard Cottage.

Just minutes from downtown St. John's is the picturesque village of Quidi Vidi, a destination within a destination. The old fishing stages, slipways, narrow laneways, and a small harbour known as the Gut, all add to its charm. It is a hint of rural Newfoundland within the city limits. You can explore the Gut by boat or by foot, and there are numerous food, beverage and artisan experiences to be had. Join us as we spend the day taking in the Quidi Vidi Village experience. First stop - The Quidi Vidi Plantation.

You could say Dee Jay Charters knows a thing or two about adventure on the water – this summer marks their 25th year sailing through the famous St. John’s Narrows. Whales, bergs, birds – they’ve seen it all, and today I hopped aboard to experience their unique brand of tour for myself.

Nestled comfortably in the Heritage District of St. John's is Winterholme Heritage Inn & Spa. Built between 1905-1907 for Sir Marmaduke Winter, the house is bold and handsome and, at the time of its completion, was one of the most expensive private dwellings ever built in Newfoundland. In 1993 this magnificent property was restored to a single family home and today is a 4-star Heritage Inn with 8 well-appointed suites, an in-house spa service and a large main floor that is often used for special functions. I had the absolute pleasure of spending an evening is this expansive property that is an absolute must see for any self-respecting traveller.

Blue On Water is a restaurant, bar and boutique hotel located on Water Street, the oldest commercial street in North America. Much like the street itself, both façades have changed over time while the essence of the street and the business have remained the same. This year marks a decade in business for owners Jason and Leslie Brake and they’re ready to celebrate. They’ve been busy with renovations (think inviting copper tones), a highly anticipated addition to their kitchen team, and injecting additional doses of luxury into their 11-room boutique hotel. I recently stopped in for a taste, a tour and a chat.

St. John’s is a local shoppers paradise! From spirits to crafts, jewelry to fine art, shopping local for Christmas is easy and affordable. Traveling to St. John’s and want to bring a piece of the island home to place under the Christmas tree? Destination St. John’s has you covered! From now until Christmas we will be running daily blogs that focus on shopping local for your holiday treats. Each blog will feature a different retailer, their most exciting products and why buying local is so important to them. Click the links below for more info!

Brunch. The word itself brings to mind lazy Sundays, fresh coffee and of course, food! From eggs benny to fish cakes, St. John’s has a plethora of local options to keep you full and satisfied. Read on for some of our favourite brunch locales in the capital.

Thinking of going for a day hike on one of Newfoundland & Labrador's 200 hiking and walking trails? Before you do, check out this list of hikers' tips and checklist items to help you prepare for your trip.

Tourists' beware! The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) are on the lookout for traveller's in the St. John's area. If spotted, they could face arrest and up to 24 hours of activities in the capital city.

It was another beautiful, sunny day in the capital city as I donned my life jacket and skirt for a kayaking adventure with The Outfitters. Had I already been kayakingtwice this summer? You betcha! Was this trip just like the others? Absolutely not. This was unlike any tour I had experienced. I’m talking middle of the ocean, paddling into sea caves, being followed by whales – this was Newfoundland adventure at it’s finest.

St. John's is a city perched on the edge of nature, surrounded by scenic beauty, dramatic coastlines and wildlife. I decided to grab my picnic blanket and basket and perch myself at some of our top destinations. Join me as I explore our colourful capital city:

One11 Chophouse is the latest addition to the burgeoning culinary scene in St. John’s. Occupying suite one hundred and eleven in the historic Murray Premises (hence the name), they specialize in in-house dry-aged top cuts of beef, Australian Wagyu, fresh oysters and seafood, and a top-notch wine list. I had the pleasure of joining Executive Chef Kenny Pittman and General Manager Grant Fowler for a taste of St. John’s newest premier Chophouse.

The roar of the engine cuts out and everything is silent. I hold my breath and scan the waters for a sign of life. Suddenly a glistening black and white tail flicks up and into view. “Go! Go! Go!” screams the Skipper and I plunge into the icy waters. As I swim I look through my mask into the deep and see a giant directly below me – there’s no turning back now, I’m swimming with humpbacks.